Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Monday 13 January 2020 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 5 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Robert Jenrick confirms attendance at a holocaust forum with Prince Charles on 23 January.
  • Robert Jenrick acknowledges issues in the care system and mentions a 4.4% real-terms increase in local government funding.
  • The Minister highlights the 3.6 billion towns fund supporting 100 town deals across England.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gareth Johnson Con Dartford
Community Security
Context

The House commemorates the 75th anniversary of the liberation of World War Two concentration camps.

Question

Gareth Johnson asks about what is being done to mark this occasion, particularly focusing on marking the end of the murder of six million Jewish men, women and children. He also inquires about efforts against antisemitism in general.

Answer from Robert Jenrick

Robert Jenrick confirms his attendance at a holocaust forum with Prince Charles on 23 January. He also highlights additional funding for teaching lessons from Auschwitz and visits to Bergen-Belsen as part of efforts against antisemitism, emphasising the Government's commitment to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Stephen Morgan Lab Aberavon
Social Care Children & Families Local Government
Context

The MP discusses the consequences of council funding reductions, specifically mentioning a shortage of safe accommodation for vulnerable children.

Question

Stephen Morgan questions if the Secretary of State agrees that the responsibility for this situation lies with his Government. He highlights issues such as illegal placements and distance from schools for at-risk young people in care homes.

Answer from Robert Jenrick

Robert Jenrick acknowledges the issues and mentions a 4.4% real-terms increase in local government funding, including a £1 billion grant for social care. He notes that the Under-Secretary of State for Housing is taking forward the supported housing issue.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Joy Morrissey Con Heywood and Middleton
Housing Business & Trade Local Government
Context

The MP praises the thriving high street in Marlow, mentioning an eco-friendly store. She asks about Department efforts to provide a better deal for overlooked towns.

Question

Joy Morrissey compliments Marlow's vibrant market town environment and local businesses like FourState. She then inquires about what her department is doing to improve conditions for such high streets that have been neglected by Whitehall.

Answer from Jake Berry

The Minister highlights the £3.6 billion towns fund supporting 100 town deals across England, along with the future high streets fund, indicating work with local government to ensure better health for these areas' high streets.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Luke Hall Con Thornbury and Yate
Social Care Local Government
Context

A previous question touched on council funding, including a mention of the Under-Secretary working on supported housing issues.

Question

The Secretary of State made welcome reference to the funding settlement, which provides some relief, but that is for the next financial year. Can the Minister confirm that the extra funding will be provided in every year of this Parliament? Will the Government also continue to work with councils to ensure that funding settlements reflect the escalating demand for, and cost of, these services?

Answer from Luke Hall

The Minister confirms that social care grant will continue every year, including an additional £9.2 million for his local authority into the next year, expressing willingness to meet with the right hon Gentleman to discuss further.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q5 John Spellar Lab Hackney South and Shoreditch
Social Care Local Government
Context

The Secretary of State previously referenced funding settlement to ease the financial burden on councils but such relief is only slated for next year.

Question

John Spellar inquires about the continuation of extra funding provided for children's social care beyond the upcoming financial year, requesting assurance that these funds will be sustained throughout this parliamentary term. He also seeks confirmation on the Government's commitment to collaborate with councils, ensuring that future funding reflects the increasing demand and cost of such services.

Answer from Luke Hall

Luke Hall confirms the social care grant will indeed continue annually, including an additional £9.2 million for John Spellar's local authority into the next financial period. He expresses willingness to meet with Spellar to discuss this matter further.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)